West Kirby bar given strict conditions to reopen following attack outside premises

WIRRAL bar owners have been given strict conditions for re-opening following a serious assault outside their premises.

Mojo’s in Dee Lane, West Kirby, had its premises licence suspended by Wirral Council after a 34-year-old suffered serious injuries during the incident on December 23.

The borough’s licensing sub-committee met on Friday after Merseyside Police demanded the permit was reviewed due to the bar being associated with “serious disorder.”

Councillors decided to modify its opening times by stipulating that it must close to the public 12.30am and that the bar’s balcony should not be used after 9.30pm.

Other conditions were that a drugs safe must be installed and used appropriately and entrance to the bar is cut off at 11.30pm. The safe stores any drugs found on customers and only police officers are able to open it.

Owner Julian Lea said plans were now in motion to revamp the bar in the wake of last year’s incident.

Mr Lea told the Globe: “It is a few incidents by the minority of people that have led to putting my business and my staff’s jobs in jeopardy.

“We are planning to re-launch completely and make the bar a lot more exclusive by being members only.

"We want to attract a more upmarket clientele and offer excellent wines and cocktails under a new name.”

Licensing sergeant Pete Jenkins said the type of incident which led to the licence review was rare in West Kirby.

He said: “Steps are being taken which I hope would minimise any future incidents.

"The conditions hopefully will make the bar a safer place to go to, but we will have to wait and see.”